Workers’ Republic, a film by Andrew Friend, documents the heroic struggle of a group of ordinary working people to defend their rights. For six days in December of 2008, laid -off Chicago factory workers at Republic Windows took over their closing workplace, declaring they would not leave until the owners and creditors agreed to pay them the severance they were owed.

On August 19, 2010 at the Texas State Employees Union premises in Austin, Ann Lewis, Judith Rosenberg and Josefina Castillo reported on their experiences at the U.S. Social Forum held in Detroit in June. Judith and Josefina are key organizers with Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, originally an AFSC program now becoming independent.

At a time when Chinese workers are challenging their government in unprecedented ways, gaining wages and demanding unions independent of the government; when ethnic tensions are rising in Tibet and in Xinjiang among Uighurs; and when, more than ever, China's economy is challenging those in the West including the U.S.'s--come hear a speaker who has been writing of the situation in China from a revolutionary perspective for over 30 years.

In February 2010, 11 of us trooped down to Piedras Negras Mexico to celebrate our 10-year anniversary with our Mexican partners, the CFO (Comité Fronterizo de Obreras/os). We looked back; we looked forward. We evaluated, sang praises, and ate barbeque chicken. They gave us plaques of recognition and gifts. Some of us, Mexican and US, were awed. Some of us were new to the idea of our solidarity and were thrilled--or confused.

Global economic justice is the bedrock of a peaceful world. As an organization long committed to achieving peace and justice, the American Friends Service Committee commissioned this report to stimulate reflection and discussion among the Service Committee, the Religious Society of Friends, and the wider community in order to advance the structural changes needed to build a just global economy - an economy founded on respect for inherent dignity and equal rights.

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has offices around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.